Keith Pompey

Inquirer Staff Writer

The Sixers on Friday officially signed veteran point guard Royal Ivey to a one-year veteran minimum deal ($1.23 million).

Why?

The Sixers apparently don’t really place a high value on backing up point guard Jrue Holiday because they have confidence in Evan Turner to play on the ball offensively for stretches during the season. Sixers coach Doug Collins’ offense also allows for Andre Iguodala to dominate the ball at times.

Whether this is sound philosophy or not is questionable. However, the hope is that if Holiday does suffer an injury that keeps him sidelined for a significant amount of time, Ivey will be able to step in and give the team competent play at the point.

Ivey, 30, an eight-year vet, spent the last two seasons in Oklahoma City. During his career, Ivey has started 109 games and averaged 3.4 points and 1.1 assists per game. This is his second stint with the Sixers, who signed him in 2008 as a free agent and later traded him along with Primoz Brezec and a second round pick to Milwaukee in exchange for Francisco Elson and Jodie Meeks on February 18, 2010.